Lighting for BMX/Skateboard photography

[malcolm027]

I posted this in the sports section but no responses.. I thought I might get better results posting here, so basically a repost:

Most (good) photos i've seen of this type of sports photography have at least 2 flashes. I was wondering what the best way to get bmx/skate shots would be using only a 430ex II. I am not very good with lighting, but I've figured out how to correctly and nicely bounce the flash off the ceiling to provide a good effect. I've also tried the 3x5 index card diffuser. However, I'm not sure what to do when I'm outdoors at a skatepark... I can't really bounce the flash off anything.. should I be using a diffuser? I don't want the photos to come out looking like crappy pop-up flash snapshots:P Sorry for sounding dumb, but I just got a flash yesterday..
Eventually I will be buying a 580ex or 550ex to use as a master, or I will buy a cheap radio trigger. What should I do for now though?

Here's an example:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=385177&stc=1&d=1249616708
I tried using a 3x5 index card to bounce light around the bowl, but it still looks pretty harsh. Maybe the best option would be to get into some off camera lighting? Any suggestions would be beneficial...

[kidfiji]

I don't know if this will work, but get a big piece of cardboard and wrap it with aluminum foil and bounce it off of that.

I suggest you get a cheap radio trigger - either a Cactus V4 or a CTR-301P, but I personally prefer the latter because they come a lot cheaper.

[Paul Li]

http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=17206&cat=256&page=1

I'm thinking you should use two bare strobes.

[malcolm027]

Thanks for the help... Looks like i'll be buying some more stuff soon! haha

[robtography]

Good lighting for skating and bmx is one bare flash somewhere in front of the rider and one behind, basically like cross-lighting. I use ebay triggers with 2 old vivitar flashes(285, 283 w/VP-1). Sometimes I put one flash at an angle shooting up towards the rider to get cool effects.

[gonzogolf]

Malcom, I think you can get some interesting stuff with one flash, but you probably have to move it off the camera. If you can get your hands on a trigger of some sort and a stand you can do amazing things. Shooting on board is always going to mean brightly lit foregrounds, and dark backgrounds.

[Kafn8td]

Here is an off camera example, flashes were bounced into umbrellas.
http://mcdaniel-photos.smugmug.com/photos/255019051_5pZq2-L.jpg

[jbergdoll]

Sandwich lighting with 2 flashes, and then sandwich lighting + rim light with 3 flashes. Shooting with one flash straight sucks.

I used 2 on this
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3216624533_db22a6dbd4.jpg

3 on this
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/3734382860_0ef81b7ba9.jpg

2
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3642/3280197125_1ffdeab9e4.jpg

3
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3028/2985135329_052367fca7.jpg

Don't waste your time with eBays, get cybersyncs or PW's.

[robtography]

^^^perfect example right there^^^

[jbergdoll]

Oh yeah, I don't use any of my umbrellas in my skate stuff.

[malcolm027]

Sandwich lighting with 2 flashes, and then sandwich lighting + rim light with 3 flashes. Shooting with one flash straight sucks.

Don't waste your time with eBays, get cybersyncs or PW's.

Those are awesome shots! Exactly what I'm aiming for.